Sulayman X, a gay Muslim journalist based in Asia operates
a web site which he calls Queer Jihad (Queer Holy War) at
Queer Jihad

"While other major religions have been coming to grips
with homosexuality, or least trying to," says Sulayman X,
" Islam is far behind."

He hopes, he says, that gay publications worldwide will
consider covering the lives of gay Muslims today.

Current conditions could hardly be worse, he writes.

Homosexuality and/or homosexual sex is punishable by
whipping, jailing or death in some Muslim countries,
especially Iran and Afghanistan.

Islam is fiercely homophobic and considers marriage
and procreation the only acceptable 'lifestyle'. Sulayman X
laments that those who go beyond these boundaries are shunned,
shamed or driven away from families, mosques and
communities.

The Prophet Muhammad is reported to have said
(in the Hadith or 'Sayings') the following:

"If you come across men doing as Lut's people did (the
prophet Lot from the Old Testament, in Sodom and
Gomorrah) kill the one who's doing it, and kill the
one it's being done to"

"Homosexuals should be thrown off the tops of high
buildings or cliffs"

"You should drive them (effeminate men or masculine
women) from your homes and families."

Gay and lesbian Muslims live under
tremendous fear, pressures to conform, and not a little
confusion, according to Sulayman X. They are "forced into double lives
in order to remain with families, often frustrated and tortured by a
sexuality they dare not speak openly about."

"Please don't take my word for any of this," he says.
He suggests perusal of a 'Comments' page on his web site
where he has compiled correspondence covering a two year period
from Muslims far and wide.

"You may be surprised at the fangs-bared hatred you
will find there," he notes. " I've lost track of the number of
death threats I've received."

A handful of gay Muslims have been working to change
their outcast status. Sulayman X's web site, the first of its kind, remains
the world's most widely visited.

New York-based Muslims founded Al-Fatiha, an
organization for Muslims in the U.S., which has thus far
staged two successful conferences.